Deborah Burand is the General Counsel of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).Burand’s first legal job was at OPIC, where she worked as a legal intern in the early 1980s.

OPIC was established as an agency of the U.S. government in 1971. It helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging markets, complements the private sector in managing risks associated with foreign direct investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy. OPIC’s political risk insurance and financing help U.S. businesses of all sizes invest in more than 150 emerging markets and developing nations worldwide. Over the agency's 39-year history, OPIC has supported $194 billion worth of investments that have helped developing countries to generate over 842,000 host-country jobs. OPIC projects have also generated $74 billion in U.S. exports and supported more than 274,000 American jobs.

Burand currently is on leave from the University of Michigan Law School, where she directed the launch of the International Transactions Clinic (ITC). The ITC, the first clinic of its kind, provides pro bono legal support to the cross-border transactions of organizations and investors, bringing business solutions to global challenges in emerging markets.

Prior to joining the University of Michigan, Burand held senior management positions in the microfinance sector (Grameen Foundation and FINCA International), senior internationally-focused legal and policy positions in the US government (US Federal Reserve Board and US Treasury Department), and in an international corporate law practice (Shearman & Sterling).

Burand was one of five topic leaders for the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative. She also is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and was an International Affairs Fellow of the Council in 1993-1994. Ms. Burand holds a B.A. cum laude from Depauw University, and a joint degree from Georgetown University combining a J.D. and M.S.F.S. (Masters from the School of Foreign Service).